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Monday, July 23, 2012

Good In Bed - Or Not So Much?

Have you ever read a book that, well as much
as you liked it you just didn’t? That’s what I unfortunately had occur when I
cracked opened a copy of ‘Good In Bed’ by Jennifer Weiner.

The lead character Candace “Cannie” Shapiro
is a successful entertainment journalist living in Philadelphia. She’s
intelligent, smart, quick with a comeback and yet still very insecure about her
figure, as well as what others may think of her family’s drama as it were. I
was under the impression that this book featured this late twenties plus sized
character, coming into her own skin. Pushing those insecurities aside and
learning to let go of what other people think of her. Now as cliché as this
sounds, that actually caught my interest. Being an overweight woman in my late
twenties, I felt intrigued to read the story that has so many raved reviews
surrounding it.

Unfortunately, as I begun to read I found
myself both feeling for and yet kind of disliking the main character in
question. She was definitely amusing when she wanted to be, mostly confident in
her work – and hey, how could I not appreciate a writer for a lead character?
Cannie Shapiro however, to me at least, came across rather whiney and a little
too hung up over her ex-boyfriend. I could get past the obsession of losing
weight and getting fit. I however felt I had to push myself to continue to
read, as she seemed unhealthily hooked on her ex-boyfriend. A man named Bruce,
who’s also a journalist. He works for a women’s magazine (Moxie) and writes a
rather personal article, divulging their past sex life and relationship details
for thousands of readers to enjoy.

Total jerk type, right? Yes. Yet our heroine
seems to only turn around after article one and become rather obsessive on getting
back together with the man who humiliates her. Perhaps again, I just can’t
relate to the situation in the main character’s storyline. Or maybe I feel as
if I was a friend to this character I would shake her until she came to her
senses. Either way, it made Cannie lose compassion points with me. Don’t get me
wrong though, because I didn’t find this novel to be a total flop. As mentioned
after all, I felt as much as I didn’t like it – I did like it. I did like that
she really did come into her own skin in due time. Accepted herself as she was
and despite a very traumatic experience (that I’ll leave out of this, as to not
spoil it for those who haven’t read yet), found herself. I did like how she
interacted with her friends and how realistic her feelings in ways did come
off. I enjoyed the way the author wrote for the most part – though a couple
pages I found myself re-reading, as there is a bit of present day to history
switch ups that didn’t quite transition smoothly.

Now I have to say, I was both pleased where
the story ended and yet…felt the way it was worded, made it seem a bit flat. I
personally feel it could have used a little more depth and detail. It just
seemed to abruptly stop as if the author was only allotted so many words and
had hit her max. Jennifer Wiener does however; seem to overall be a good
writer. I have to say, this book’s downfalls (that I felt I found) don’t stop
me from wanting to read more books from the author. I keep in mind this was the
author’s first book and clearly the woman is talented. I just have to honestly
admit, I don’t quite agree with all the raved reviews I read on this one.

2 comments:

I recently read a story that had amazing world building to it. It had a nice steam punk feel to it.

The main character though... ugh... all she does is run around for most of the story going on and on about how her EX took away all her independence (and more or less was emotionally abusive) and how she's never letting another man do that to her. She goes on and on how she wants independence.

Yet, throughout the story she's constantly waiting for, expecting, depending and demanding for her future HEA to do and fix everything for her.

*smh*

I loved the world building so much though that I will probably give the next book a chance.

Firstly, I’m so sorry! I thought I had responded this long before now.

Secondly, I completely understand the interest in checking out more books by the author, even if the first one you read by them kept you on the fence whether you liked it or not. What book were you reading? And you know if ever want to borrow my copy of this book you may.